New Delhi, March 18: In a major step to strengthen rural drinking water governance, the Government of India has signed reform-linked Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh under the extended phase of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0. The agreements mark the formal rollout of the reform-based implementation framework of the mission, which was approved by the Union Cabinet…
Centre Pushes Capital Goods Sector Competitiveness with Rs.1,207-Crore Scheme
New Delhi, March 18: The Government of India is implementing the “Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector – Phase II” scheme to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities and support the growth of a globally competitive capital goods industry. The scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, has a total financial outlay of ₹1,207 crore, including ₹975 crore in budgetary support from the…
Food Processing Industry Must Align with Nutrition Security Goals: Chirag Paswan
New Delhi, March 18: Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan has called for a long-term strategic roadmap for India’s food processing and nutraceutical sectors, stressing that the industry must align its growth with the country’s broader goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Speaking at “NutriBharat 2026: National Conference on the Role of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods in Strengthening Nutrition Security,” organised by…
Government Steps Up Measures to Boost Agricultural Credit Flow, Focus on Small Farmers and Allied Sectors
New Delhi, March 18: The Government of India has implemented a series of policy measures aimed at expanding institutional credit to the agriculture sector, with particular emphasis on underserved segments such as small and marginal farmers and allied activities including dairy, fisheries, and animal husbandry. The initiatives are designed to improve access to affordable credit, strengthen rural financial institutions, and enhance agricultural productivity through increased financial…
RBI Tightens Oversight on Digital Lending; Govt Steps Up Action Against Illegal Loan Apps
New Delhi, March 18: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has strengthened its regulatory oversight of digital lending platforms as part of broader efforts by the government and financial regulators to curb the proliferation of illegal mobile loan applications and enhance consumer protection in India’s fast-growing digital lending ecosystem. The central bank had earlier constituted a working group to examine issues related to digital lending, including…
Government Pushes Crop Diversification, MSP Procurement and Faster Insurance to Strengthen Farmers’ Incomes
New Delhi, March 17: India’s Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has outlined a series of policy measures aimed at strengthening farmers’ incomes and risk protection, including crop diversification, record procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP), reforms in crop insurance, and stricter monitoring of agricultural schemes. Responding to questions from Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, Chouhan…
Cabinet Approves Rs.11,440 Crore ‘Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses’ to Boost Domestic Production
New Delhi, March 17: The Union Cabinet has approved a centrally sponsored scheme titled Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses aimed at increasing domestic production of pulses and achieving self-sufficiency in the sector. The mission will be implemented over a six-year period from 2025–26 to 2030–31 with a total financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore. The mission focuses on strengthening the pulses value chain by expanding cultivation,…
Over 2.12 Lakh Startups Recognised Under Startup India; Over 1 Lakh Have Women Directors
New Delhi, March 17: A total of 2,12,283 entities have been recognised as startups under the Government of India’s flagship Startup India initiative as of January 31, 2026, reflecting the rapid expansion of India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem over the past decade. Launched on January 16, 2016, the initiative aims to build a strong ecosystem that nurtures innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and encourages investment across sectors in the…
IHCL Announces a SeleQtions Hotel in Digha, West Bengal
Chandigarh, March 17: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of a SeleQtions hotel in Digha, West Bengal. The upcoming property will be developed as a greenfield project. Commenting on the development, Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL, said: “Digha is one of Eastern India’s most frequented beach destinations, and its growing relevance in spiritual…
TEX-AURA EXPO 2026 Inaugurated in Cuttack, Showcasing Surat’s Textile Excellence
Cuttack: TEX-AURA EXPO 2026 was inaugurated today in Cuttack, bringing the vibrant essence of Surat’s renowned textile industry to Odisha. The two-day exhibition is being held at Windsor Palace and has drawn significant interest from industry stakeholders, traders and fashion enthusiasts. The event was formally inaugurated by the Mayor of Cuttack, Shri Subhash Singh, who highlighted the importance of such platforms in strengthening trade linkages…